5MTHFR is not found naturally in food. 5MTHFR is the form folate is absorbed by the body into its cells. It is the most biologically active form of folate and tends to be well absorbed even with alterations in gastrointestinal pH. If taken in supplement form the Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene is not required for its […]

Ancient antics Throughout history, there have been prescriptions for sex selection. The human desire to choose the sex of one’s offspring – to have a son rather than a daughter or a daughter rather than a son – is hardly new. In ancient Greece, it was believed that if men had sex while on their […]

Coenzyme Q 10, often referred to as CoQ10, supplies the mitochondrial energy for the metabolic requirements of the body, including both the egg and sperm. Scientists believe CoQ10 also functions as an antioxidant that blocks actions that can damage cells. The body’s available supply of CoQ10 decreases with age and getting it from food presents […]

By Yvonne Gattung B.Soc.Sci, DipMedHerb, NZAMH Gender selection is gaining increased interest and use via the IVF process. Firstly, to screen for genetic defects and secondly, to ensure the desired gender in offspring. The technique is called Preimplatation genetic diagnosis (PGD). With this process several eggs are extracted from the mother as per usual IVF […]

by Sarah Knapton Science Editor, at the ASRM conference in Hawaii A diet rich in fruit and vegetables may harm fertility, say researchers at Loma Linda University Medical School. Vegetarians and vegans may be harming their chance of having children after a study found that men who do not eat meat have significantly reduced sperm […]

There is potential for heavy metals to affect sperm quality. In a recent cross sectional study of 20 environmentally exposed men and 27 men who were control (no exposure) showed that exposure to lead is related to a decrease in the quality of semen. Count, motility and morphology were all affected, with sperm morphology being […]